Stress Center Peer Support

It sounds like anxiety strikes when you are making changes in your life like thinking about starting a family. That happens to me too. My oldest child will be leaving home soon and that makes me anxious. My husband is interviewing for a new job -- same thing. I had my worst anxiety/panic when we mov...

Hi Lyndalu, I just got diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis along with fibromyalgia and just found out from an mri that I have a labral tear in my right hip. I know what you are talking about. I try to pace myself and I also know that I am more afraid of the sad, defeated feelings if I don't get up a...

Hi Lyndalu, I am so sorry that you are feeling so blue. I also have joint problems -- I have fibromyalgia and possibly RA or lupus -- they are still looking. So far the best thing has been, doing physical therapy which you can look up the exercises on the internet if you cannot afford PT. Gentle str...

Hi dhoyt, To answer your question, yes, it is totally normal to have good and bad days! I am pretty sure that Lucinda says recovery can be two steps forward and one day back. Some days things are just easier because of our environment or how much sleep we have etc. And, then somed days are harder. B...

Lucy, Yes, the more you do it, the easier it is. I used to be afraid of getting a haircut because I didn't know how I could sit in the chair and make small talk. What if I felt panicky and I jumped out of the chair? What if I had a stomachache and had to run for the bathroom. After doing this progra...

Hi Lyndalu, How are you doing today? I hope you are feeling better and you are being gentle with yourself. My 17 year old daughter was just having a really hard time last night falling asleep -- she is all worried about her exams and the prom and everything. It is funny how we don't worry about one ...

Hi Lyndalu, I am sorry you had a rough week. Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself praise for everything you do. If you feel like you are on the computer too much, try painting or making a new recipe or something. I think the computer and the TV can increase our anxiety if we use it too much. I use...

This is so normal. Sometimes we push ourselves to do something and then all of the sudden we are thinking out of fear -- oh no, what have I done? I can't possibly go through with this? What if I panic while driving, etc. Just tell yourself it is a normal response and you are going to do it anyway --...

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have a lot of widespread pain. I also have GERD and IBS which I have learned are common in fibromyalgia patients. Because I also have a high CRP level, my rheumatologist thinks I also have signs of rhuematoid arthritis or something autoimmune rela...

I am very sensitive to meds but I am sure there will be one for you. Just go very slowly because SSRI's like zoloft (which I take) and paxil, prozac, etc. can increase your anxiety at first. Ten years ago, when I told my primary doc that I was having trouble visiting with my friends and riding in ca...